1

   The Orphanage is the most beautifully terrifying & poignant ghost story of the past twenty years. Belen Rueda turns in a compelling performance in this chilling tale of love, loss and redemption. I can’t remember the last time I gripped my armrests so tightly and by the end, due to the company I was with, almost wept as the film scares the shit out of you then provides a warm, gentle embrace as it fades to black. I’m gritting my teeth as Hollywood begins production on a remake of this. The Orphanage is a masterpiece.

   Tim Burton. Johnny Depp. An R Rated musical about a man wrongfully imprisoned and his sadistic wrath of vengeance…need I say anymore? The film is a sweeping gothic horror epic that may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m a diehard Burton fan and with the cold, clinical and precise writing of John Logan breathing life into the demon barber, this is a bloody good time.

   Darabont’s no stranger to Stephen King material and excels when given the creative power to do so. After reviewing this film last September, I ducked into catch another showing after Thanksgiving and must say that the audience was enthralled by the visceral dread and tone. Unfortunately it became one of the casualties of the fall, but The Mist is a four star horror film that relies on solid acting and minimal gore.

   Probably the best film out of After Dark’s Horrorfest 2006 and re-release in February of 2007. Cerda’s haunting ghost story holds up well on dvd, but I must say the scares are larger than life on the big screen. Moody & atmospheric, this haunted house is one to rattle the nerves. I’m still floored with the seemingly seamless tracking shot as it follows Anastasia Hille through the house from one room to the next. Good for a dreary January rent.

   In a summer of explosions and duds, I was skeptical wandering into this one. From the director of the horrifying Derailed (2005) and the writers of The People Vs. Larry Flynt…paranoia set in. But I’ve got to say that 1408 was one helluva crafty little ghost film from the mind of Stephen King. I was impressed. Especially with the ending for at one point I almost threw my soda at the screen and cursed the writers, but they truly redeemed themselves.

   After the opening weekend numbers of this epic cinematic experience, I almost lost hope in the movie going public because it tanked. While chatting with my best friend back home about this film, his response was “What the hell is that movie about? No one understands the marketing behind it back here.” I realized that Dimension was to blame for not making the film clear to middle America. Los Angeles and New York understood, but my fellow bumpkins missed the boat. Grindhouse was the first great tragedy of cinema for 2007. I haven’t seen the full length individual films, but I will never forget Tarantino, Rosario Dawson, Jordan Ladd, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Eli Roth gracing us with their presence.

   David Arquette’s raucous directorial debut is bound to become a cult classic to watch on 4.20 every year from here on out. A horror film laced with campy goodness and coated with political satire, the movie caters to audiences fancying a throwback to 80’s classics. Grab some snacks, dim the lights and enjoy The Tripper with a bud. Or two…

  A lot of people didn’t like this throwback to Cannibal Holocaust and its comparative nature to the Blair Witch Project…but I truly enjoyed this one. Guess it’s due to my folklore minor in college and us studying the legend of Michael Rockefeller and his disappearance. I thought Hensleigh’s film was a well executed horror film that plays on nerves and very little gore. Give it a chance, you may be surprised. 

30 Days of Night :   Director: David Slade

  I’m a die hard fan of the graphic novel and must say that the adaptation was beautifully shot. Hartnett and Melissa George did a good job with their respective characters and Danny Huston stole the entire film as the main baddie. The director’s cut DVD is due out in February and is well worth purchasing. I think Sony released it in an overcrowded horror market and this would’ve found a better home amidst the Thanksgiving crowds given the winter landscape and scope of the vampire film. 

I Am Legend :   Director: Francis Lawrence

I Am Legend shocked most of Hollywood with it’s impressive haul at the box office. Deviating from Richard Matheson’s source material, nixing the vampires and replacing it with rabid humanoids was a risky move but pays off well in the suspense market. I must give kudos to Will Smith for breathing life into this character.

Sunshine:   Director: Danny Boyle

Sunshine is Danny Boyles love letter to Kubrickian sci-fi films. The film has some major issues but the characters deliver on every level given the terrifying premise and denouement. The insanely beautiful Rose Byrne ruled this film and it was a pleasure to see Cillian Murphy working with his 28 Days Later director.